BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 13: A New Orleans Saints helmet sits on the turf before the start of the Saints and Baltimore Ravens preseason game at M&T Bank Stadium on August 13, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)The New Orleans Saints decided to release a back-up quarterback following the return of Drew Brees from a brutal rib injury. The 41-year-old plans to start this weekend as the team welcomes in the 12-1 Kansas City Chiefs.
With Brees’ return came the tough decision to let go of another quarterback inside the organization.
The Saints released 28-year-old Trevor Siemian earlier on Saturday evening. The six-year NFL veteran joined New Orleans in 2020, serving as a deep reserve behind a pair of other quarterbacks.
Siemian arrived to the Saints via the Tennessee Titans practice squad in November of this year. His signing was see as somewhat of an emergency situation after Brees suffered eleven broken ribs in Week 10.
Now, Siemian will be back on the loose as the 2020 season wanes.
With Drew Brees back, the Saints have released QB Trevor Siemian.
Other moves: waived TE Garrett Griffin, placed Michael Thomas and KR/PR Deonte Harris on IR, elevated WR Lil'Jordan Humphrey from the practice squad.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) December 19, 2020
The move seemed absolutely necessary for the Saints to get Drew Brees back on the active roster. With Taysom Hill and Jameis Winston still healthy and prepared to fill-in for the 41-year-old, Siemian didn’t have much of a role to play.
The former Northwestern quarterback came into the league after the Denver Broncos drafted him with the 250th overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. Siemian served as a reliable back-up in his rookie year behind the great Peyton Manning. The Broncos went on to win a Super Bowl, making it quite a career start for the young quarterback.
In 2016, Siemian was given the chance to compete for the team’s starting job. He ended up earning the spot over Mark Sanchez and Paxton Lynch. He started 14 games for Denver that year, going 8-6 with a steady performance. Siemian threw for 3,401 yards and 18 touchdowns as he looked to potentially be the team’s quarterback of the future.
Since then, his production has steadily dropped off. After starting 14 games for the Broncos in 2017, Denver traded him to the Minnesota. After one year with the Vikings behind Kirk Cousins, he moved again to the New York Jets. Siemian got one start for the AFC East organization but suffered an ankle injury after just six pass attempts.
Now, he’ll find himself looking for a new team to contribute to.
Meanwhile, the Saints will prepare for an important Sunday match-up against the Chiefs. New Orleans will have to see how Brees performs after coming back from his serious injury.
